Initially I did struggle to read this and gave up on my first attempt. However, once I got used to reading more than a few light novels at a time I gave this another go and I’m very glad I did. This story offers a different type of the traditional “Isekai” genre that you usually see in modern light novels.

The writing style and the expression used is very stylish, sophisticated and most importantly, enticing. Because I’m not a good reader I found it difficult but once I got used to reading light novels back to back I found the style of this series easier to read.

Some of you may already know that I enjoy light-hearted/good feel stories the most and avoid ones that harbour suspense and drama. I feel this has the perfect balance of both. It’s not too light that comedy overshadows the plot but it’s not too serious where it would leave a bad taste in my mouth. It has a good mixture of everything.

When summoned to another world Souma’s life literally changed from the tranquillity of life in Japan to the rough era with an ethos of the middles ages. That meant political issues with neighbouring countries, dealing with corrupt nobles and rebellious duchies, a food crisis, changing the military set-up, but to top it all off, the Demon Lord’s Domain which threatens the existence of mankind. It’s a humongous responsibility for a young man like Souma to bear on his shoulders. I can’t help but sympathise and admire his courageousness through his decisions as a King and as a man.

I really enjoy reading about his journey and how the ladies in his life help him whenever he is down in the dumps. The novel often switches from the storyteller to the casts perspectives which make the story more interesting. It gives you an insight to how the characters are feeling if the situation is personal to them. It also adds a different dimension to the scenario both to the story and to the character.

The characters are wonderful, the fights are good, the politics and suspense are well conveyed, and the ladies are beautiful inside and out. I couldn’t ask for more well-balanced story that offers a mature yet realistic feel to an isekai light novel.

5 out of 5

Post-Review:

I read the three volumes in one swoop and often lost sleep because I wanted to keep reading them on my kindle. It is a fact that makes me sad but equally ecstatic because I thoroughly enjoyed and will continue to enjoy reading this series.

I’m now in the lengthy process of drawing a picture of Liscia, Aisha and Juna together. It will take a while to complete but it will be worth it.

I really do like the concept of the guy being transferred to a fantasy world either through means of a summoning or through reincarnation. In this case Kazuma died a hilarious comedic death and is given the option of bringing any “broken weapon or ability” with him. Yet, out of all of the cards that were dealt, he picked the lowest card of the deck, the joker, Aqua, the most useless card that could be dealt. Haha.

What makes this a good book is how the author conveys both the plot and how he/she depicts the characters in the plot. KonoSuba is classed as a comedy but I feel this isn’t meant to be a comedy, it’s a well thought out story that includes very funny moments. The pace and language is very simple and the plot flows smoothly without over-articulating the writing. I’m not a very good reader and I struggle to take in the information but with KonoSuba I found the books very easy to read.

A good foundation for a story is always important but having good characters is equally as important. I’m happy to say that the characters in this story are amazing, especially the main crew, Kazuma and his party.

Kazuma has no talent and therefore became your average adventurer and forms a party with three high-class adventurers, the Arch Priest Aqua, the Arch Wizard, Megumin, and the Crusader, Darkness. The ladies being as strong as they are should be using Kazuma as their bag carrier, yet, the beautiful catch of this party is that they’re all completely useless in their own quirky ways. Aqua is a Diva, Megumin can only use explosion magic once before she faints and Darkness is a masochist who can’t even hit the simplest of objects. It’s no surprise that Kazuma became leader by default, look what happened when he traded places with Dust. Haha.

The ultimate plot of this over-powered game is for the bog standard Hero, Kazuma, to eliminate the Demon King once and for all. He needs to beat him, or her (it could be a lady) to achieve his unyielding desire and to return Aqua to the Heavens. The current goal is to scrape through each day whilst eliminating all the Demon Generals in the process.

Speaking of Demon Generals, the villains are just as wonderful as the main cast. You have this tough Dullahan, Beldia, who is extremely intimidating when confronting the town of Axel but gets bewildered and rolls around in agony that wouldn’t befit the role of a villain. The other Demon General Wiz has a very unique relationship with Aqua and the polar opposites between them are high and hilarious for unusual reasons. It’s as Kazuma said, they ought to switch places for Goddess and Lich.

The underlying feature that I found beautiful is the relationship between Kazuma and his three party members. They banter a lot and you often see their love and hate relationship, mostly between Kazuma and Aqua, but deep down I think they all care deeply for each other. Their relationship partly reminds me of the relationship between Del Boy and Rodney from Only Fools and Horses (UK Sitcom).

Throughout the three volumes the feelings and bonds between Kazuma and the three ladies grew and developed in significant ways. If nothing happens romantically between them it wouldn’t ruin the story because they will always be close like family and that is just as important as a romantic relationship. =)

I get the impression that Aqua, Megumin and Darkness care more for Kazuma than his family ever did so it’s not surprising that Kazuma treasures them.

5 out of 5

Post-Review:

The modern niche in anime is the protagonist being transferred from modern day Japan to a fantasy world set in the middle ages, KonoSuba is one of them. It was a Web Novel but as far as I understand Natsume stopped writing the Web Novel when Kadokawa licensed the series and thus the Light Novel series was born, and I’m very thankful it was. =)

I first watched the anime on a whim last year and since then I’ve been watching it, reading it and collecting KonoSuba memorabilia back to back ever since. I’m very happy to say that this is one of my all-time favourite series, both as an anime and as a Manga/Light Novel series. I’m especially thankful for YenPress for licensing the series because now I get to indulge in the KonoSuba literature any time at my leisure.

In light of the surging popularity behind KonoSuba there’s a bunch of Spin-offs released as result. Here’s to hoping that YenPress will license these spin-offs in the near future for I, as one, would gladly support and read with pride more KonoSuba. =)